The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1887-03-17
LEGISLATIVE.
The Orphan Asylum Bill En-
crossed in the Senate.
The Land Board Comes in for a
Little Discussion in the House.
The Agricultural and Mechanical
College Asks for an Addi-
tional Appropriation.
COMMITTEE MEETINGS.

A delegation consisting of G. G. Garrett
of Brennan, and W. X. Cavitt, of Bryan
directors; Capt. T. NJ. Scott, agent, anC
l.. l.. McGinnis, secretary, OF the board o.
directors of the Agricultural and Me
chanical college, at Bryan, were present
at the meeting of the house finance com
mittee last night for the purpose of pre-
senting the claims of the college for an
additional appropriation to enlarge the
facilities of the college for the accOmmo'
datiOn Of growing scholarships, and to
meet this an appropriation of $4,000
in addition TO the $4,000 annual appro-
priation to meet the running expenses OF
the college,
The house Judiciary committee No.
held an informal meeting tonight, to
hear the explanation of Mr.. Freeman,
relative 10 the claims of Texas to part
OF the territory within the boundaries of
Kansas and the Indian Territory. He
demonstrated his argument by the use of
n large map, showing the lines embracing
the disputed territory. His explanation
was exhaustive of the whole question, as
developed by the Investigations of the
Joint commission of the United States
and Texas.
THE ORPHAN ASYLUM.
The senate yesterday passed the orphan
asylum bill TO engrossment. If this bill
becomes law it will place Texas on a
higher plane than any state in the union.
The wisdom of the fathers of the republic
of Texas, and the guardian of its privi-
leges when it became part and portion
of the United States, provided for an or
phan asylum, and it is now time for our
legislature to finally develop this chart
table scheme decided upon Mt such
an early day in the history
of Texas. If it is the duty of the state
to provide for her insane, her blind and
her deaf and dumb how much more is it
her duty to throw protecting and nur-
turing arm around the children who will
grow up and make considerable portion
of her citizens.
Children left as orphans, without any
proper guardianship, if allowed to grow
up uncared for, how easy it is for vicious
natures to develop more surely, and for
their surroundings to lead those of tract
able dispositions from the paths of viz
tue into those of vice. child
will develop passions and char
acteristics during the early years of its
life which will forever leave their impress
and may change the life entirely for the
worse. The ladies. of Austin have been
working noSly, although disinterested per-
sonally in the matter, for the Orphan
asylum, and considering how favorable
are all the surroundings for establishing
the asylum there certainly can be no rea-
sonable objection for holding back.
Texas has fine state institutions for her
afflicted people; let her but take step in
this direction and she will set
an example for every state in
the union to emulate.
Let there be no opposition to the bill,
because of the locality, and leave it to
committee to select site which holds out
tho greatest number of inducements, with
she greatest natural advantages, such
MS health, etc. Austin, of course, with
much show of reason, ought to have it,
but The STATESMAN is willing to waive
Austin's claims for the present and let all
concentrate on the one object of getting
the bill through,